The German chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the Bundestag on the 25th of March regarding the state of the coronavirus in Germany. This is what she had to say:
Merkel pointed out that the pandemic was not a state specific to Germany and that all over Europe cases were rising with the pandemic not being a specifically German phenomena, but world over. She added the despite the sceptics, the country was not ready for a reopening.
More than half a million people have lost their lives and the economy is also taking quite a toll due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic but Merkel commended the EU members states on the solidarity it continues to show each and very member state to curb the virus and other matters that have come in it’s quake.
European researchers have been able to come up with vaccines in record time leading to teh protections of millions of citizens and especially seniors can now be protected against serious death through infection.
The two founders of Biontech have also been awarded the order of merit in Germany for their progressive response in developing the vaccine.
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Merkel pointed out that this was important because the idea of some EU countries having the serum and some not would shake the very core of the union but there is still more to be done to analyse the weaknesses exposed by the pandemic.
Merkel pointed out the importance of digital sovereignty among the EU member states in that the states need to expand their relationship with partners but also in iporoving such communication avenues and finding out where there are dependencies that carry risks and what should the EU do to have greater resilience. An EU digital responsibility movement.
The refugee deal with Turkey must be continued, she says. “I know that there is a lot of criticism of this agreement,” says Merkel, but then cites the advantages: fewer drowned people in the Aegean, more Syrian refugees accepted in Turkey. “The continuation of this cooperation is in the interests of both parties”. Turkey has taken in 3.6 million Syrians, which is a great achievement.
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Source: Bundestag, DW, Focus.de